The Los Angeles Angels’ 2024 season was one to forget, marked by a franchise-worst 99 losses and a finish at the bottom of the American League West standings. However, while disappointment loomed large over the campaign, the emergence of young talent provided a silver lining for a team in desperate need of rebuilding.
A Tough Year for the Angels
Finishing with a 63-99 record, the Angels’ struggles were evident across the board. Offensively, the team ranked 28th in MLB with a .671 OPS, while their pitching staff was similarly unimpressive, posting a 4.56 ERA—26th in the league. Injuries to key players, lackluster performances from veterans, and an absence of depth at critical positions compounded the challenges.
Superstar Mike Trout, limited to just 29 games due to a torn meniscus, was a significant loss. His absence in the lineup left a void that the team struggled to fill. Third baseman Anthony Rendon also continued to battle injuries, and other veterans like Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo missed time due to various ailments. These setbacks further hindered a roster already weakened by Shohei Ohtani’s departure in free agency.
What Went Right
Despite many struggles, there were bright spots, particularly among the team’s younger players:
- Zach Neto emerged as a standout in his first full MLB season. The 23-year-old shortstop hit 23 home runs, stole 30 bases, and finished with a .761 OPS. His defensive reliability up the middle only added to his value, establishing him as a potential cornerstone for the franchise. With Neto leading the way, the Angels gave fans reasons to be optimistic even when baseball game odds consistently favored their opponents throughout the season.
- Logan O’Hoppe, the Angels’ catcher, showcased his power at the plate with 20 home runs, hinting at his potential as a consistent offensive contributor.
- Jo Adell finally started to deliver on his promise, hitting 20 home runs and stealing 15 bases. While his strikeout rate remained high, Adell’s improvement provided hope for his future role with the team.
- Nolan Schanuel and Luis Rengifo offered glimpses of their capabilities, suggesting they could be key contributors in the years ahead.
On the pitching side, a few names stood out amidst the struggles. José Soriano impressed in his first year as a starter, posting a 3.42 ERA over 113 innings before arm fatigue ended his season early. Similarly, Ben Joyce made an impact out of the bullpen, with a 2.08 ERA and four saves in 34 2/3 innings, though his campaign was also cut short by injury.
What Went Wrong
The Angels’ offensive struggles were glaring, with inconsistent performances from much of the roster. Mickey Moniak, for instance, hit just .219 while striking out 114 times in 418 plate appearances. The team resorted to experimenting with veterans like Niko Goodrum, Keston Hiura, and Miguel Sanó in search of a spark, but none made a meaningful impact.
The pitching staff was similarly underwhelming. Reid Detmers regressed significantly, finishing with a 6.70 ERA in 17 starts and spending much of the year in the minors. Meanwhile, Patrick Sandoval and Griffin Canning each posted ERAs above 5.00, with Sandoval undergoing Tommy John surgery in late June, sidelining him until mid-2025.
Veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson was an All-Star in 2024, but his season was a tale of two halves. After posting a 3.81 ERA before the All-Star break, his performance dipped in the second half, finishing with a 5.43 ERA over his final 12 starts. His inability to miss bats (18.6% strikeout rate) and a rising walk rate added to the Angels’ pitching woes.
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
The 2024 season served as a harsh reality check for the Angels, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive rebuild. However, it also highlighted the potential of the team’s young core. Neto, O’Hoppe, Adell, and others demonstrated that the franchise has players to build around, even as they look to improve in other areas.
To compete in the future and improve their standing in the 2025 World Series odds, the Angels must address several pressing needs during the offseason. It will be critical to bolster their offensive depth, particularly in the infield and outfield. The starting rotation also requires reinforcements, with the team needing at least one veteran arm to provide stability. Joyce appears to be the closer of the future on the bullpen front, but additional relievers could help solidify the unit.
Key free agents such as Brandon Drury, Kevin Pillar, Hunter Strickland, and Matt Moore leave further gaps in the roster, giving the front office much to ponder as they navigate free agency and trade opportunities. The Angels have embraced a rebuilding mindset, so aggressive moves in the market are unlikely. Instead, developing young talent and identifying long-term solutions will remain the focus.
As the Angels work toward turning the page on a dismal 2024 season, the hope lies in developing their burgeoning young talent and the lessons learned from a year of adversity.
